European Parliament

“Venezuela's triumph will be the triumph of humanity.”   That’s what María Corina Machado made clear during her speech at the Sakharov Prize award ceremony.   Machado, Venezuelan opposition leader, and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia are the 2024 laureates of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. They received their prize during a ceremony in Strasbourg.    The Sakharov Prize honours individuals and groups who have dedicated their lives to defending human rights.   The European Parliament recognises the opposition as the legitimate winners of Venezuela’s July presidential election, and condemns the fraud and violence carried out by the Maduro regime that stayed in power despite mass protests.

Europeans deserve equal treatment wherever they are. That’s where the Court of Justice of the EU steps in!   Since being set up 1952, its role has been to keep the EU and national governments in line with EU law, and that the rules are applied consistently across the bloc.   Two courts, one mission: The court is divided into the Court of Justice, which handles rulings requested by national courts, and the General Court, which focuses on competition law, state aid, trademarks, and more.   Good to know: Thanks to the 2009 Lisbon Treaty, Parliament plays a role the selecting the panel in charge of approving candidates for key positions in the Court.   💡 Did you know? As an individual or company, you can take action against EU institutions for damages caused by their actions (or lack of). Today marks 70 years to the day since the court issued its first ruling!   Find out more about how the the Court of Justice of the EU works: https://europa.eu/!XYtVYj

"Georgians see what is happening as a deposition of their freedom, their future and in some ways their independence." This was the message of Salome Zourabichvili, president of Georgia, during her address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg.   Protests began after the Georgian government decided to pause the country’s EU accession process following the disputed parliamentary elections in October 2024.   MEPs rejected the outcome of the elections and called for them to be re-run following the findings of electoral violations. These included documented cases of voter intimidation, vote manipulation, interference with election observers and the media as well as reported manipulation of electronic voting machines.   Parliament President Roberta Metsola had this message for the people of Georgia: "We see you, we hear you, we are with you. This House stands strong with Georgia in its journey towards Europe." Find out more: https://europa.eu/!jfRwDG

From wildfires to floods, 2024 has been a year marked by natural disasters for Europe. However, it will also be remembered as a year when Europe came together.   The European Parliament has approved measures to help EU countries respond urgently to natural disasters.   The Restore proposal, which stands for Regional Emergency Support to Reconstruction, allows EU countries to more easily channel European funds to disaster reconstruction and recovery.   This decision paves the way for faster, more efficient support to rebuild communities and restore livelihoods after natural disasters across Europe.   Read more: https://europa.eu/!B4K7yh

Teresa Anjinho has been elected as the new European Ombudsman.   The Ombudsman works to make your voice heard in the EU by promoting good administration and investigating broader systemic issues within the institutions.   In this new role, Anjinho will be tasked with following up on complaints by citizens and holding the EU’s institutions and agencies to account. Her experience includes working as an independent human rights expert and academic researcher, as well being a member of the committee of the European Anti-Fraud Office.   She will take over on 27 February, when the outgoing EU Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, will pass on the baton.   Learn more about this role 👉 https://europa.eu/!8fTrBr

"This award is not just a recognition but also a reminder that the fight for freedom is never in vain," Parliament President Roberta Metsola during the Sakharov Prize award ceremony. The 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought has been awarded to María Corina Machado, the leader of Venezuela's democratic forces, and the country’s president-elect, Edmundo González Urrutia. This prize recognises exceptional individuals who defend human rights and democracy against authoritarian regimes. The award goes not only to Machado and González, but also to the people of Venezuela, who have risen up against a rigged result in their July 2024 presidential election. Parliament has recognised the opposition as the legitimate winners of this election by awarding this year's laureates with the EU’s highest honour for human rights defenders. Discover more about this year's laureates 👉 https://europa.eu/!8Hfy7F

The European Parliament is meeting for the final time in 2024.   This week in Strasbourg, MEPs will award the 2024 Sakharov Prize to the Venezuela's democratic forces María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia. MEPs are also set to elect the next European Ombudsman and approve funds to finance recovery of EU countries affected by climate-related disasters. Read more about what's coming up this week: https://europa.eu/!nm94kH

Young Europeans leave their parents' home at 26 years of age, on average.   This varies significantly between the different EU countries with the average age in Finland being 21 and in Croatia 32.   One thing that all of these countries have in common is that men, on average, leave their family home later than women do.   A post-electoral Eurobarometer survey from July 2024 reveals that 42% of respondents said they were driven to vote by concerns about rising prices and the cost of living.   🏠 Find out key facts about the rising housing costs in the EU: https://europa.eu/!3GvNy6

Safe products equals safe customers. The new General Product Safety Regulation applies from today. It is a set of rules that ensures that all products – whether sold online or in shops – meet the highest safety standards. This new law protects you and all customers across the EU.   What will the new rules do?  - Guarantee all products, including those linked to new technology, are safe - Ensure consumers are informed directly and offered a repair, replacement or refund - Reinforce market surveillance rules - Dangerous products will have to be removed swiftly from the market - Make sure that information on products’ safety and remedy options is available in clear and easily understandable language - Protect vulnerable consumers like children and persons with disabilities. Find out more 👉 https://europa.eu/!7MmRhk   Image: The chill guy by ©PHILLIPBANKSS

LIVE: European Gender Equality Week 2024 'The Digital World: Safety and Empowerment' is the theme of the fifth European Gender Equality Week, organised by the European Parliament from 9 to 15 December 2024. With a series of events and debates, Parliament is addressing gender equality issues in different policy areas, focusing on the opportunities and challenges faced by women online. Follow the discussion about the elimination of violence against women and their empowerment in the digital world: • José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Former Prime Minister of Spain • Catherine De Bolle, Executive Director of Europol (by video message) • Antonella Sberna, Vice-President of the European Parliament in charge of the Gender Equality Week • Ewa Kopacz, Vice-President of the European Parliament chairing the High-Level Group on Gender Equality and Diversity • Lina Gálvez, Chair of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality of the European Parliament • Moderator: Delphine Colard, spokesperson of the European Parliament.